NHL Looking To Exploit Players For More Money

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James Connelly
May 27, 2023 (4:13 PM)

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The NHL is a business and looks to make more income every season. This new idea seems like a no-brainer and the NHLPA backs this idea.

NHL Looking To Exploit Players For More Money

The NHL is always looking to make more money and they may have found a way to make more next season. The goal of the league is to raise the salary cap by more than $1 million but there is a lot of difficulty that comes with wanting to do that while lowering escrow.

Reporter Larry Brooks has revealed a potential plan for the NHL they could undertake to generate more income.

"We have learned that the PA is willing to discuss increasing the schedule to 84 games." -Larry Brooks

The Practicality of an 84-Game Season

An 84-game season actually makes more sense than an 82-game season from a scheduling standpoint. As is, each division has eight teams and has their schedule broken down as such:

2 games against each opposite conference team (32 total games)

3 games against the same conference but in different division teams (24 total games

3 games against two same-division teams (6 total games)

4 games against the remaining 5 division rivals (20 total games)

This results in an 82-game season but if they were to add in two games, it could be consistent with inter-divisional play.

Proposed New Schedule

2 games against each opposite conference team (32 total games)

3 games against the same conference but in different division teams (24 total games

4 games against the seven division rivals (28 total games)

This is an 84-game season and makes sense on paper but it is more labor on the players. They are being paid for 82 games as is plus the playoffs if possible. This would also result in a longer season by about five days to a week.

If it can raise the salary cap, the NHLPA is willing to budge on it but it is adding more labor to the players and taking away from their time with family.